Maxwell Announces Re-Offer For St. Stephen Town Council

Current Deputy Mayor Jim Maxwell has announced his re-offer for St. Stephen Town Council.


He says he is not running for mayor because he enjoys doing volunteer work, such as benefit Pool tournaments, and the Mayor position wouldn't allow much time for that.

This morning, another re-offer was announced, this time on Facebook.

Mayor of Blacks Harbour Terry James made it official to the internet community she will be running again for Mayor.

St. Stephen Residents Angry Over Ferguson's Paid Leave

"As a taxpayer, I'm not happy."

That word from St. Stephen resident Margaret Harding after Town Council approved a 6 week paid leave of absence for Chief Administrative Officer, John Ferguson.

The approval comes 3 weeks into his defamation trial with the Saint John Pension Board.

Resident Margaret Harding singled out Mayor Jed Purcell, asking why he would pay Ferguson out of the Town's pocket while he went to court.


Mayor Jed Purcell responding "it was not a result of something Ferguson has done, and he deserves the support of the town."
Councillor Ralph Williams responding, "Ferguson was called to court, he did not instigate this. If you were called to jury duty, the same rules would apply."

Councillor Robert Tinker said, "When we hired John, we knew the courtdate was looming, it's a matter of principle. Had this come up after, the outcome would be different."
 
The Mayor says he is unsure if he would grant more paid leave to Ferguson if the trial lasted more than the estimated 6 weeks.

Former Mayor Takes The Stand At Defamation Trial

Former Saint John Mayor Norm McFarlane, who chaired the Pension Board from 2004 to 2008, says the obligation of the trustees is to members of the city's pension plan when pressed on whether any recommendations were made to Common Council to make changes in light of a rising deficit.


McFarlane says it was not up to the Pension Board to make any such recommendations. It would have been up to the City Manager who's also a member of the Pension Board.
 
One option looked at was a sick plan with health and benefits to replace the disability pension.
 
McFarlane was asked about a motion by Common Council asking the Pension Board for alternatives to tackle the unfunded liability, but he couldn't say if the pension board ever gave a response.
 
He concedes no trustee wanted to reduce benefits.
 
Yesterday, MacFarlane testified that he had to stop going to the market and for walks on the Harbour Passage after John Ferguson's comments to avoid being harassed. He said voters always asked him about the pension board—never about city business or the LNG controversy.


MacFarlane said “If there's anyone on the pension board that didn't have a conflict of interests, it's me—because I wasn't receiving a pension.”

The former mayor testified as recently as last Saturday a stranger got in his face and said “I don't believe a word you say, you're a liar.” He testified he's a 76 year old churchgoer and John Ferguson's statements were a black mark against his name.

MacFarlane said Ferguson falsely claimed he was warned to keep his mouth shut for the sake of his career. He further said Ferguson had every opportunity to either prove his statements or apologize—but didn't do either.

Ferguson is currently the Town Manager of St. Stephen.